20080807Maiwand-12.JPG

Two men listen as NATO and Afghan military officers urge village elders in Osman Kheyl, in Maiwand district, Afghanistan to cooperate with government and foreign troops in the fight against Taliban insurgents. Taliban attacks have risen sharply across southern Afghanistan in the last two years, and U.S. and other NATO countries are sending more troops to the region. Aug. 7, 2008. DREW BROWN/STARS AND STRIPES